Trees, shrubs, or lianas. Stipules present, persistent or caducous. Leaves imparipinnate; stipels present or absent; leaflet blades opposite or rarely subalternate. Inflorescence a pseudoraceme, unbranched (but branched in Millettia ichthyochtona), rachis with lateral flowering branchlets reduced to knobs or short spur at each node, flowers 2-5 in a clusters or fascicles per node; bracts and bracteoles present. Calyx tube broad, shortly 5-toothed; adaxial 2 teeth ± connate. Corolla standard large, with or without basal cal­luses. Vexillary stamen free in bud sometimes and becoming adherent to other 9 when mature. Ovary linear; style straight or in­flexed. Legume 2-valved, flat, sometimes cylindric or inflated only around ellipsoid seeds, tardily dehiscent, not winged or with 2 wings perpendicular to abaxial or both sutures. Seeds 1 to several per legume, lenticular or globose; funicle fleshy, swelling at adaxi­al side, surrounding and clasping hilum as a short ringlike aril.

Many species are used in China as medicinal drugs, insecticide, or fish poison. A few species are cultivated as ornamentals.

About 100 species: subtropical and tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia; 18 species (six endemic) in China.

(Authors: Wei Zhi (韦直); Les Pedley)